Industry Veteran joins Principal^® to lead new global platforms unit to accelerate growth of asset management business

Principal Financial Group^® announced today that Barbara Wenig has joined its global asset management business, Principal Global Investors^®, as executive director of global operations and platforms experience. In this newly created role, Wenig will be a key contributor to advancing the firm’s strategic initiatives and growing global platforms in partnership with the distribution and investment teams for Principal Global Investors.

“Barbara has a wealth of knowledge and experience from overseeing operating platforms across global regions, and she fills a critical role in allowing us to deliver innovative capabilities to our retail, institutional, and retirement clients,” said Kamal Bhatia, chief operating officer, Principal Global Investors, and president, Principal Funds. “Barbara’s strong track record and deep understanding of client service, relationship management, business analytics, and business transformation efforts will be instrumental in helping us guide our global growth across public and private markets.”

Principal Global Investors has expanded and shifted its business to meet the growing needs of its clients over the past year. With nearly 25 years of finance and investment experience, Wenig will assume leadership of operations and global platforms, including international funds and ETF products in collaboration with investment model providers and partners. She will also oversee client, fund, and investment operations to further strengthen the firm’s globally integrated operating model.

Wenig comes to Principal Global Investors from Neuberger Berman LLC where she gained a reputation for developing and driving global operating models and planning and executing against complex business strategies. She has created, managed, and led cross-functional, transformational initiatives that have achieved operational efficiency and desirable outcomes for clients. Wenig, who has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, is also a champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and is committed to talent development and retention.